Jan
Green seasonWildlife: Hot, humid weather brings newborn wildlife and migratory birds. Closed from 10 January 2027.
Hot, humid weather brings newborn wildlife and migratory birds. Closed from 10 January 2027.
Mkulumadzi Lodge
Majete, Malawi · Private concession
Lodge
Photo: Robin Pope Safaris · Source ↗
All inclusive (AI)
Accommodation, Game drives and 7 more
8 rooms
King chalet, Twin chalet, Honeymoon chalet and 1 more
All ages welcome
Family rooms available
By air
20 min from Majete Airstrip
Wi-Fi in rooms
Solar power
From about A$660
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Mkulumadzi Lodge
Mkulumadzi Lodge sits beside the Shire River in Majete Wildlife Reserve, reached by a suspension footbridge over the Mkulumadzi River. Its eight chalets include a honeymoon chalet and two family chalets with separate bedrooms joined by a lounge. Private decks face the river, while a shared pool and outdoor dining areas offer places to unwind between game drives. The stay includes meals, drinks, laundry and transfers from Majete Airstrip. From May to October, guests can arrange a night on the starbed sleepout at no extra cost. Children of all ages are welcome.
“River-facing decks and an eight-chalet layout make this a personal safari base, with two-bedroom family chalets for all ages and a seasonal starbed sleepout for a different night in the bush.”
Best for
FamiliesHoneymoonersBirders
Known for
What you can expect to see
Big FiveBirdlife
Explore Majete’s Big Five habitat and look for birds such as Pel’s fishing owl and Boehm’s bee-eater.
Your stay
What's included
Board: All inclusive (AI)
Special offer: 2026 and 2027: 10% off accommodation for 7 or more nights at RPS properties, or 20% off for 10 or more nights, excluding Mobile Walking Safaris. The youngest of two children aged 16 or under stays free when travelling with two adults; park costs and levies remain payable.
Included
- Accommodation
- Game drives
- Meals
- Drinks
- Laundry
- Airstrip transfers
- Terrace
- Campfire lapa
- Evening Breeze mosquito-net cooling
Not included
- Park fees
- Flights
- Visas
Park costs and the Conservation and Community Fund total USD68 per person per night, with a 1% tourism levy added separately. Flights, visas and airport taxes are extra.
Optional extras (at a cost)
Arrivals outside park entry hours of 07:00-18:00 require advance arrangements and a USD50 guide fee. Card payments for extras attract a 4.5% surcharge.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Viewing deck
- Lounge
- Shop
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Private deck
- In-room WiFi
Rooms
Where you sleep
- King chalet3 at the property · En-suite bathroom, Outdoor shower, Private deck, Evening Breeze mosquito-net cooling, In-room WiFi
- Twin chalet2 at the property · En-suite bathroom, Outdoor shower, Private deck, Evening Breeze mosquito-net cooling, In-room WiFi
- Honeymoon chalet1 at the property · En-suite bathroom, Outdoor shower, Private deck, Evening Breeze mosquito-net cooling, In-room WiFi
- Family chalet2 at the property · Two en-suite bedrooms, Indoor showers, Lounge, Private deck, Evening Breeze mosquito-net cooling, In-room WiFi
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Majete Airstrip
- 20 min transfer
- Mkulumadzi Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · 20 min from Majete Airstrip
- Transfers
- Road transfers from Lilongwe to Majete take approximately seven hours; the drive from Majete Airstrip takes 20 minutes. A suspension footbridge provides the final approach to the lodge.
- Luggage
- Soft bags only
Good to know
Before you book
- Children
- All ages welcome. Family rooms available
- Single travellers
- No single supplement
- Accepted currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Power
- Solar power
Before you travel
Australian Government travel advice
Malawi
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Last updated
Read the full advice on Smartraveller for Malawi (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Summarised and shortened by Explore Africa; read the full advice on Smartraveller.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Closed
- March: Green season
- April: Green season
- May: Good
- June: Good
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Dry season, best game viewing
- November: Good
- December: Green season
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
- Green season
- Closed
Month-by-month notes
Feb
ClosedWildlife: Closed throughout February 2027.
Closed throughout February 2027.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Reopens 19 March 2027. Frequent rain, high humidity and strong birding continue.
Reopens 19 March 2027. Frequent rain, high humidity and strong birding continue.
Apr
Green seasonWildlife: Rain and humidity ease as the bush dries and animals become easier to see.
Rain and humidity ease as the bush dries and animals become easier to see.
May
GoodWildlife: Drying vegetation improves wildlife viewing; cooler nights and occasional showers mark the end of summer.
Drying vegetation improves wildlife viewing; cooler nights and occasional showers mark the end of summer.
Jun
GoodWildlife: Less vegetation makes wildlife easier to spot. Sunny, warm days give way to cool nights.
Less vegetation makes wildlife easier to spot. Sunny, warm days give way to cool nights.
Jul
GoodWildlife: Drying lagoons draw animals to waterholes and the Shire River. Days are sunny, with occasional drizzle.
Drying lagoons draw animals to waterholes and the Shire River. Days are sunny, with occasional drizzle.
Aug
GoodWildlife: Animals gather at waterholes and along the river; days are sunny and temperatures begin to rise.
Animals gather at waterholes and along the river; days are sunny and temperatures begin to rise.
Sep
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Thinning vegetation improves game viewing, with bateleur eagles a birding highlight. Days warm up while nights stay cool.
Thinning vegetation improves game viewing, with bateleur eagles a birding highlight. Days warm up while nights stay cool.
Oct
Dry season, best game viewingWildlife: Strong game viewing coincides with very hot days and little or no rain.
Strong game viewing coincides with very hot days and little or no rain.
Nov
GoodWildlife: Mostly dry, sparse bush supports good wildlife viewing. Heat and humidity rise, with showers often arriving late in the month.
Mostly dry, sparse bush supports good wildlife viewing. Heat and humidity rise, with showers often arriving late in the month.
Dec
Green seasonWildlife: Afternoon rain becomes more frequent, migratory birds return and many mammals begin breeding.
Afternoon rain becomes more frequent, migratory birds return and many mammals begin breeding.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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